The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-02-27
SALMON p. CHASE.
Stephen j. Field Tells How He Came To Be
Appointed Chief-Justice.

In the following statement, inclosed IN a letter
to Mr.. pSan Piatt. Justice Field. of the Supreme
Court, .orrects the errors in Mr. Platts report OK
their conversation on the appointment OF Mri
Chase as Chief justice, which appeared in the
January number of the North American Re-
view:
In the spring of 1864 Chief justice fancy was
taken very i'll and reported to he dying The
prospect of speedy vacancy in the Office Of
Chief justice naturally led to suggestions to
his probable successor. In the previous year
majority of the justices, ar the instance OF Mr..
Justice Davis, and through him. Informed Pres
ident Lincoln that in case of vacancy in the
Office during the of the court they
would be pleased to see the appoint
ment given to Mr.. Justice Swayne. But Mt this
time 1854 Mr.. Justice Miller and myself had
some conversation the subject of the success
sion, and we both came to the conclusion that
Secretary Chase would be the proper man for
the place, as he was familiar with all the ques-
tons out of which had grown the civil war, and
was acquainted with az the legislation of Con-
gress during its progress. and with the new rev.
enue and currency systems in particular. For
these reasons, and he also being eminent jur-
ist and of broad intellect, We considered his APP
| pointment TO be very desirable We did not
| make any comparison between him and Mr..
Justice Swayne. for whose qualifications and
| character we had the highest appreciation. Our
| preference for Mr. Chase was based the
| grounds have stated. On the same day. while
| walking Pennsylvania avenue toward Will
lard's Hotel. met Mr.. Chase and after the ordi-
l
would ike to be Chief-justice He seemed
surprised at the question, and asked me
/ what meant. / replied, giving him the in
formation we had of the condition Of Chief-jus-
| tice fancy. and Of the probability that he woud
| not live through the day, and stating that Mr.
Justice Miller and myself had suggested his
name as the Chief justices successor He replied
/ that he had not thought of the position, but he
/ was evidently interested in the suggestion. for
| he turned and accompanied me as far as Will
| lard's Hotel. In the course Of our conversation
| he asked me If had consulted Mr.. Sumner on
| the subject. / replied that had not, but that
would SEQ him Immediately. Mr.. Sumner then
| lived at the corner of and Thirteenth streets.
| l went to his room and found him at his desk,
surrounded by papers. told him my object in
calling He replied, II will see the President at
once" and Immediately rose from the table and
| left the house for that purpose.
Il Chief Justice fancy recovered froms~hs ill
ness, and the subject OF his successor WAS. OF
course, dropped. At the end of the torn
| called to pay my respects to him. l found him
exceedingly feebie, SO much so that when gave
him my photograph, which he had requested /
noticed that his sight had failed him, and was
panied by the thought that was probably look
ing upo his venerable face for the last time /
went Immediately from his residence to the
White House to see the President found him
engaged with Mr.. Holt, and apparently absorbed
in the matter which was the subject of their
consultation. I remarked that had called to pay
my respects before leaving for California and also
to say that, IL all probability before the next
term of the Supreme Court, the duty would de-
| volve upon him of appointing d Chief tice,
and that desired to say few words to him on
that subject He then asked me if / could not
remain in the city day longer for that purpose
| said I could. and he made appointment for
me to him at IL o'clock the next day. At
our interview that day, he said, before
mentioned Mr. Chase's name: II suppose you
favor the appointment of Mr.. Chase to the chief
justceship2" He probably got that impression
from his interview with Mr.. Sumner. who had
doubtless reported to him the conversation he
, had with me about month before The Presi-
dent then asked me how the profession would
take the appointment Of Mr.. Chase, and said that
7 he entertained very high regard for him. He
also remarked that there were parties
who were endeavoring to put ND q
bar" between him and Mr.. Chase,
but that he would not let them do it. In
the course of the conversation he asked me how
: Mrs. Sprague would like the appointment of her
father; that he had heard The remark attributed
to her that her father twas not to be set aside
by place on the bench" TO that inquiry
! made reply. The impression left upon my
mind from that conversation was that he was
. tavorabiy disposed to Mr.. Chases appoint men,
as successor to Chief justice fancy. Some weeks
afterward Mr.. fancy died. Mr.. Chase was ap
pointed to succeed him, and his apnoin tmen
q was unanimously confirmed by the Senate with
D out the usual reference to q committed
You will thus see that you are inaccurate In
! | making me say that we-neaning, Isuppose jus
Davis .'had organized party in behalf of Justice
Swayne as successor OF Chief Justice Taney thai
We knew that he was not the man" for the posi-
ton. and that President Lincoln told ma tina
. lin case Of vacancy he had made up his mint
: | to appoint Chase